Surprise announcement from the Maple Leafs and the worst is confirmed for Tampa Bay Lightning fans

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Elias Adaime
April 19, 2023 (3:34 PM)

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In the past few minutes, there have been important development for the rest of the series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Firstly, the worst case scenario is confirmed for Lightning fans.

The three players who left game one are injured and two have already been confirmed as OUT.

"Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper announced that Erik Cernak and Michael Eysimmont will not play in game 2. Victor Hedman is a last-minute decision," said Elliotte Friedman.

The exact severity of Hedman's injury remains to be determined, but he is clearly uncomfortable and will not be at 100%. It undoubtedly hurts the Lightning's chances.

As for Cernak, it's a heavy loss in every sense of the word.

Surprise announcement from the Maple Leafs regarding Ilya Samsonov.

Despite public outcry, despite what Toronto fans wanted, and despite the ton of pressure he put on himself by calling his team the "best team in the world," Leafs' head coach announced that Ilya Samsonov will be his starting goaltender for game two.

Sheldon Keefe is going back with Samsonov, who was pulled from game one after giving up 6 goals on 29 shots.

Do you like this decision?

More details to follow.